handbook for

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "handbook for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a book or guide which provides detailed information on a specific subject. For example: "I found a great handbook for self-publishing that has been very helpful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no handbook for this".

The New York Times

A Handbook for the Other Woman.

Independent

* Handbook for Auto.

Yale University

"They're rewriting the handbook for me.

The Guardian

A pop-up handbook for young naturalists.

The New York Times - Books

A Handbook for Film Archives.

Columbia University

The Sphere handbook, for example, updates every few years.

The Guardian

He is writing the Modern Drunkard Handbook for Riverhead Books.

The New York Times - Arts

Roman Krznaric's new book is Empathy: A Handbook for Revolution.

The Guardian

The Daodejing was meant as a handbook for the ruler.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ron Paul wrote the handbook for small-government conservatives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether "manual for" or "guide for" might be more appropriate depending on the level of detail and technicality required. Use "handbook for" when you want to convey a comprehensive guide that covers many aspects of a particular subject.

Common error

Avoid using "handbook for" when a simple set of instructions or a brief overview would suffice. Using it for something basic overstates the content's depth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handbook for" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the purpose or subject of a handbook. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it commonly precedes a noun or noun phrase, specifying the intended audience or topic of the handbook.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

32%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "handbook for" serves as a crucial indicator of a resource's purpose: to provide comprehensive guidance or instructions on a specific subject. As Ludwig's analysis shows, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, including academia, news, and science. While alternatives like "guide for" or "manual for" exist, they may imply different levels of detail or technicality. Therefore, understanding the context is critical in ensuring that the most appropriate phrase is employed. As a conclusion, "handbook for" remains a reliable and versatile choice when you aim to signal that the following text is a detailed and comprehensive guide.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manual for

Indicates a set of instructions, but might imply a more technical or operational context than "handbook for".

guide for

Offers direction or advice, but can be less comprehensive or detailed than a "handbook for".

guidebook for

Suggests a guide for a specific place or activity, often less formal than "handbook for".

booklet for

Refers to a smaller, less detailed set of instructions compared to a "handbook for".

instructions for

Focuses specifically on how to do something, potentially missing the broader context a "handbook for" provides.

a how-to for

Implies a step-by-step guide, often informal and less comprehensive than "handbook for".

reference for

Highlights the value of a resource that contains information, but it does not necessarily contain procedures or guidelines.

resource for

Indicates any helpful material, which may lack the structured guidance of a "handbook for".

companion to

Signals a supporting material, but not a manual in itself, as in "handbook for".

introduction to

Describes an overview or primer, which could be a very brief resource compared to a "handbook for".

FAQs

How is a "handbook for" different from a manual?

A "handbook for" typically provides a broader overview with guidelines and principles, while a manual often focuses on specific operational procedures or technical aspects.

When should I use "guide for" instead of "handbook for"?

Use "guide for" when you're offering general direction or advice. "Handbook for" suggests a more comprehensive and detailed treatment of the subject.

What are some contexts where "handbook for" is commonly used?

"Handbook for" is frequently used in academic, professional, and technical contexts where detailed guidelines or comprehensive overviews are needed, like in academic research or technical documentation.

What is the difference between a "handbook for" and a "reference for"?

A "handbook for" provides guidelines and instructions, while a "reference for" is a resource that contains information, which may lack the structured guidance of a handbook.